Gators Go Over Mistakes As They Prep For Alabama

September 14, 1986|By Derek Catron, Sentinel Correspondent

GAINESVILLE — Alabama visits Florida Field Saturday for an important Southeastern Conference encounter, but the 13th-ranked Florida Gators used their off week to replay the past as well as getting ready for their showdown against the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide.

The Gators, 23-15 losers to the Miami Hurricanes in their last game, used their open week to work on mistakes that plagued them against Miami.

''We can't afford to make mistakes because Alabama is too good a team,'' Florida offensive line coach Phil Maggio said. ''Alabama's seen our films, and they know what mistakes we made against Miami. We've got to correct those errors.''

Breakdowns along the offensive line played a major role in the Gators' loss. Quarterback Kerwin Bell was sacked six times and pressured for much of the game. But after studying game films, Maggio said the offensive line performed better than he previously thought.

''Take away a half dozen plays and they the offensive line played pretty well,'' Maggio said, adding that the mistakes on those six plays were glaring. ''We hurt ourselves with mistakes and silly penalties, putting ourselves into third-and-long situations. From there, they can tee off on you and give you man coverage and blitzes.''

Maggio said the mistakes tended to be because of poor technique rather than missed assignments, something the Gators can ill afford against the Crimson Tide.

Florida defensive coordinator Zaven Yaralian said the Gators will have to be disciplined on defense against the Tide, especially since Alabama is very run oriented with a lot of pass-action plays.

Although Alabama prefers to run, quarterback Mike Shula concerns Yaralian. ''Shula is a very smart quarterback,'' Yaralian said. ''He's got a reputation for pulling it out in the fourth quarter.''

Florida has given up 21 of its 37 second-half points in the fourth period this year.